Douglas Murray and Antti Niemi get the day off and the Sharks get ready for that long, long road trip

San Jose Mercury News | Oct 19

DP gets a maintenance day from Working The Corners. So it's back to the fourth-line grinder.

And "maintenance days" also were awarded to defenseman Douglas Murray and goaltender Antti Niemi Tuesday. But Sharks coach Todd McLellan said both are fine, health-wise, and should be ready to play when the Sharks begin their rugged, six-game road trip in New Jersey on Friday.

Niemi made his season debut in the Sharks' 3-2 loss to Anaheim Monday night at HP Pavilion. Murray came up limping after taking a puck to somewhere in the thigh region on his right leg in the first period. But he was soon back out on the ice after walking off the pain.

"He's just a tough human being," McLellan said of Murray.

Of Niemi, McLellan added: "Considering we don't play until Friday, another day won't hurt him."

* One player who won't be on the team charter for the trip's start is forward Martin Havlat. But that's only because he's flying commercial to Cleveland to meet with the surgeon who performed his shoulder operation. The plan is for him to hook with the team later in New Jersey.